Notes: This
ritual was written as an option for a monthly devotional to Hermes.I noticed that on the ancient Athenian
calendar the honored many of the gods monthly, but we do not have a lot of
information about the rituals that they used.I wanted to create something simple and pretty casual for use
monthly.You do not need to do it on a
specific day.Ancient Athenians often
worshiped him on the 4th day of the lunar month, but you could also
worship him on the 4th day of the modern calendar, a day you arbitrarily
pick that you like, or multiple days throughout the month.Make it your own!

Also, this
is quite a long ritual and may not be suitable for the hectic lives many of us
lead.Because of that, I have also
created another version of the ritual that is much shorter that I will post in
another link.Feel free to make any
other changes that would better suit you as well.

This
ritual is written for one person (since many of us are solitary practitioners),
but should be able to be expanded quite easily to accommodate more if needed.

Hermes Monthly Ritual – long version

Begin your
ritual by cleansing yourself of miasma:This can best be done by washing and dressing in clean clothing or
simply just washing your hands and/or face.You may do the latter either by using khernips (or blessed water)
or perhaps simply an herbal soap that has a scent that puts you in the frame of
mind for ritual.The purpose of this is
to help cleanse oneself of miasma before ritual out of respect for the
gods.(More on miasma and ritual
preparation can be found here: http://persephones.250free.com/preparation.html)

Process
toward the altar:It doesn’t have to be fine, but it’s nice to approach the altar
mindfully.If you do not have an altar,
it is nice to set up a temporary altar-style space on a table or bookshelf
where you can put either a statuette of the goddess, pictures of her, items
that remind you of her, etc.Think of
it as a place dedicated to the goddess for your ritual, sort of like setting up
something for a special event.

Light the
hearth fire:Once in front of
the altar space, light the hearth fire (fireplace, grill, etc.) or a candle
representing it. As you light the fire, recite the following excerpt from the
Homeric Hymns:

Hestia,
you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly
Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house,
come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise -- draw near, and withal bestow
grace upon my song.

Purification: Next is
the ritual purification.State aloud:

"Hekas,
hekas, este bebeloi! Let the profane ones depart!"

(If you are
nervous about the Greek words, just saying the English half is fine)

At this
point, many people scatter barley over the altar to purify it.If you do not have barley on hand, it is my
opinion that you may skip this step.YMMV.Some people will also
sprinkle khernips on the altar as well.Again, YMMV.

Libation
to Hestia: After the purification, prepare what you intend to libate
for the ritual.Things such as wine,
water, olive oil, and honey are often used for this, but there are many other
options as well.This is when you would
need to have them ready.

Note: For the
libations themselves, if I am inside I will pour them into a designated bowl on
the altar space and pour the offerings outside after a few hours on the altar
or just after the ritual.If I am
outside, I pour the libations onto the earth/ground.

First,
pour a libation of your offering to Hestia while saying:

“For
Hestia! Yours is always first and last!”

(It is
traditional that the goddess Hestia gets the first and last portion or libation
in every ritual.)

“Hear me,
Hermes Lógios, of speech, Hermes Khthónio, [khthonic,, Hermes Enódios, of the
road, or by whichever name you wish to be called.The son of Zeus and Maia, you were born at the dawn, at mid-day
played the lyre, and in the evening you stole the cattle of far-shooting
Apollon on the fourth day of the month.You are the lord over all birds of omen and grim-eyed lions, and boars
with gleaming tusks, and over dogs and all flocks that the wide earth
nourishes, and over all sheep.Hail,
Hermes, giver of grace, guide, and giver of good things!Be present, Hermes, assist my works, grant
me eloquence and flawless memories, and conclude my lives with peace.”

“Slayer of Argus,
Son of Zeus and Maia, messenger of the blessed gods, bearer of the golden rod,
giver of good, be favourable and help me, along with Hestia, the worshipful and
dear. Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you
two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their
strength.”

[From the
Homeric Hymn to Hermes and Hestia, altered slightly]

[Pour
final libation to Hermes]

Other
offerings/hymns:At this
time, feel free to add any other personal poetry, hymns, songs, etc. that you
would like to add.Make the ritual
personal!I also find that this is a
good time to just sit in the presence of Hermes and perhaps even communicate
with her (prayers, requests, praises, etc.).

Ritual
closing: Once all offerings are complete, to end the ritual, a final
offering is poured to Hestia and the following words are spoken:

“As long
as hearth fires burn, the blessing of Hestia is upon us.Praise Hestia, for you always come first and
last!”